Dr. Bradford McLaughlin

Dr. Brad McLaughlin has endured more than his fair share of dental work: he was born with a cleft lip and palate and went through 16 surgeries, speech therapy, and more. This made him incredibly passionate about becoming a dentist. "Even with everything I went through," he says, "I really enjoyed the doctors that I had. I knew I wanted to do the same thing one day."

But in all likelihood, your first interaction with Dr. McLaughlin will have nothing to do with your teeth: "Step one for me is always getting to know my patients," he says. "I want to know if you're comfortable, if you're anxious, if there's anything weighing on your mind. The mouth is a sensitive, personal thing, so before we even get there, I just want to know how you're doing."

He'll also make sure that everything happens at your own pace. "I want you to feel like your best interests are prioritized," he says. "Whatever kind of care or treatment you need, we'll make a plan that's tailored to you. It's okay to feel anxious, but together we can get you to a place where you feel happy and excited about your oral health again."